Newtown Youth Services Director Departs;

Agency Headed For Some Changes

By Jan Howard

Some restructuring is being considered for Newtown Youth Services as its Board of Directors mulls the appointment of a new executive director, following the departure of longtime director Debbie Richardson in September.

Ms Richardson was appointed as executive director in 1987. She and Roseann Loring, the agency’s life skills education coordinator, were named as parade marshals for the 2003 Labor Day Parade. Ms Richardson left the agency at that time.

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal said recently he believed philosophical differences led to the departure of Ms Richardson. He said he had offered mediation in the dispute, but no one accepted his offer. He said from speaking to both sides, he felt that neither the board nor Ms Richardson were listening to each other. Depending on which side you ask, he noted, Ms Richardson either resigned or was discharged.

Repeated attempts to reach Ms Richardson and Carl Fagerholm, the chairman of the Youth Services Board of Directors, for comment were unsuccessful.

Ms Loring said there had been some disagreement between the staff and the board about procedures. “Everybody that comes in has new ideas,” she said of the board. “The staff is not always in accord. We’ve tried to come to a middle ground and look forward to a collaborative effort in the future.”

Ms Loring said Ms Richardson’s departure came about because of her desire to move to Virginia. Currently, she noted, Ms Richardson is making decisions regarding residence and job opportunities there.

“She decided to get things in order here,” Ms Loring said. “The time was right for her.”

Ms Loring said she hosted a party at her home for Ms Richardson after she left the agency.

At the present time, “Youth Services is running very smoothly,” Ms Loring said. “Things are well under control.”

She said none of the services have changed, and new programs are being developed.

Ms Loring noted that much of what Newtown Youth Services is today was brought about through the efforts of Ms Richardson. “Debbie developed so many of the programs in use today,” she said. “No one questions the major contribution she made to the agency.”

There are changes being planned, Ms Loring noted. Because the agency’s assistant director, Jane Todorski, also resigned recently for personal reasons, the agency is considering hiring a clinical director instead of an assistant director. She said it is not unusual for a nonprofit agency to have an executive director as an administrator and grants writer and a clinical director.

Ms Loring said a clinical director had not been necessary in the past because both Ms Richardson and Ms Todorski were clinicians.

She said the board of directors interviewed applicants for the executive director position last week and would be making an offer to one of the applicants. Once that person is in place, the board would look for a clinical director.

Ms Loring said that as a result of the staffing changes, “Everybody’s jobs will change. The town is growing, and we have to grow with the town.” She noted that staff members were taking on more responsibility.

“Growth is a good thing,” she said. “We’re all encouraged.”

Newtown Youth Services is a nonprofit agency that offers youth and family counseling, crisis intervention, support groups, and case management. It receives some of its funding from the town.

The Board of Selectmen first saw the need for a youth services organization in April 1981, and in March of 1982 the Newtown Fund donated $5,000 toward a youth services coordinator. Katherine Crown was named the first coordinator in October 1982, and its first executive director, Wendy Bausch-Davenson, was appointed in October 1986.

Mr Rosenthal said Newtown Youth Services is one of about 20 nonprofit youth agencies in the state. About 70 others are town agencies.

Ms Loring said Newtown Youth Services has always been a quasitown agency. However, she noted, “We are not technically under town auspices.”